Chapter 264: Fishing Competition Begins, the Leading Cao Xing (6000)

After distributing the longbows, Cao Xing took another look at the attributes of the other blueprint.

[Well Construction Blueprint]

[Blueprint Effect: Can construct a vertical shaft to extract groundwater in the territory]

[Durability: 200]

[Depth: 20 meters ~ 200 meters]

[Building Material Requirements: Stone * 72, Wood * 52, Iron * 20, Primary Elemental Crystal * 5]

[Time Required for Construction: 17 hours and 17 minutes…]

…

"This thing is quite convenient."

"Although water resources are not lacking in this world, having a well makes getting water even more convenient."

Cao Xing put it into his backpack.

With this, two of the three goals for this trip to Annuo River Village were considered completed!

The Generosity Trial quest is complete.

The tattered doll quest is also complete.

Now, there is only one final goal left, which is to participate in the fishing competition.

Moreover, Cao Xing even wants to win the championship of the fishing competition!

Looking at the time, it is currently eleven o'clock in the morning.

And the fishing competition starts at one o'clock in the afternoon.

However, it's almost time.

Cao Xing said, "Alright, there is still more than an hour until the fishing competition, let's walk around the village casually."

Hearing this, everyone nodded one after another.

Then, they left this place.

Thus, Annuo River Village, a forbidden zone that had existed for nearly a hundred years, completely vanished today.

Jenna had killed all her enemies from back then, leaving without any regrets…

For the remaining time, Cao Xing strolled around Annuo River Village.

Time slowly trickled by…

Soon, it reached one o'clock in the afternoon.

Which was when the fishing competition began.

Cao Xing, who was strolling, suddenly heard the sound of a loudspeaker.

"Attention, fellow villagers of Annuo River Village, this fishing competition is about to begin!"

"All participants, please come to the river surface to gather as soon as possible!"

Hearing the sound, a large number of villagers began rushing out of the village.

Then they headed towards the nearby ice-covered river, which looked like a jade belt.

Assam and the others looked at each other.

Cao Xing said, "Let's go, we'll head over too."

Following behind the noisy crowd, they quickly arrived at their destination.

…

…

A few minutes later.

Along the Annuo River, which reached four to five kilometers in width, a large number of figures gathered.

On the banks, numerous figures stopped to watch; some were nearby villagers, some were wandering mercenaries, and some even added up to nearly a thousand people.

On the ice of the Annuo River, dozens of figures stood scattered about.

They were separated from each other by a distance of several hundred meters.

These people on the ice were the contestants of this fishing competition.

These contestants varied in appearance, some old and some young.

Among them, there were even quite a few creatures of other races.

For example, the Sylphs, the Dwarf Clan, and Cao Xing even saw a few Orcs.

They all held their numbered tags high in their hands, eager to try.

Including Cao Xing, who was also holding the No. 47 numbered tag in one hand at the moment.

Standing right beside him was the big guy Braum.

Regardless of his physique or presence, he stood out remarkably among the many contestants on the field!

Cao Xing asked, "Braum, are you ready?"

The big fellow patted his chest and said, "Rest assured, Lord, this time Braum will definitely catch plenty of big fish."

Cao Xing smiled and nodded, then handed the No. 48 numbered tag and the Dragon-patterned Wooden Fishing Rod (Gold) to Braum.

Meanwhile.

He took out 15 green-grade pet rations and 5 blue-grade pet rations from his backpack and distributed them to Braum.

Currently, he still had 35 green pet rations, 15 blue ones, and 7 purple ones left in his backpack.

He didn't know the effects of the fish in the Annuo River yet.

So he planned to test the waters first; if the fish in the river had good effects, he would catch a few more.

Braum excitedly took them over.

Cao Xing patted his shoulder and said, "Keep it up, Braum."

"Understood, Lord, Braum will certainly not disgrace your prestige."

After saying that, he quickly left to find his own fishing spot.

Meanwhile.

A middle-aged man slowly walked over the river surface—it was none other than the middle-aged man in charge of registration earlier.

He stroked the goatee on his chin, holding a microphone-like prop with an amplification stone embedded at the top.

This stone could magnify his voice.

"Ahem—"

A hollow voice rang out.

The Goatee cleared his throat and then said, "Fellow villagers of Annuo River Village, welcome to visit this fishing competition!"

"The competition is about to start, all contestants please get ready!"

The voice echoed across the lake surface.

The villagers were full of enthusiasm.

Cao Xing wore a smile. "This microphone is quite nice with a pretty clear sound quality. Let's see later if there's a chance to get hold of it and use it exclusively for Cao Yi's speeches."

At this moment, the middle-aged man continued, "Attention all contestants, I believe you all understand the specific rules of the competition. The rewards for this fishing competition are extremely generous!"

"I hope you can all work hard and strive to win a good ranking!"

At this time, a Sylph asked, "Host, may I ask who the organizer of this event is? Such a grand gesture is quite rare."

Others who heard this question also chimed in, feeling extremely curious about this mysterious organizer.

This time, although it was just a fishing competition held in a village,

the rewards had already reached the level of a town!

In the circle of veteran anglers, this was a very rare occurrence.

The Goatee host chuckled and said, "Our organizer this time is very mysterious. Before he steps forward voluntarily, I cannot reveal his identity."

"However, if you win the champion or runner-up rewards, you will be able to meet our organizer."

Hearing this, everyone present felt even more curious in their hearts.

The Goatee host checked the time and stated directly,

"Alright, the time has arrived. All contestants, please get ready and carve out your fishing spots."

"Then catch more fish within the specified time!"

"The competition lasts for two hours. Two hours later, rankings will be based on points!"

"So now, the fishing competition officially begins!"

"Roar!!"

Excited shouts came from the onlookers on the shore.

"Haha! It's finally starting!"

"Old Man Daizel, keep it up!"

"Father! This time we used our family's entire savings to let you sign up for the competition. You must get a good ranking!"

"Son! Take first place, and our whole family will be proud of you!"

At this moment, the contestants on the ice looked at each other and quickly dispersed.

They had to seize the time and start fishing!

Like dozens of ants crawling on the ice, they quickly found their own fishing locations.

Just as everyone was ready to start fishing, it seemed they all encountered a problem.

That was, the ice layer on the river surface was simply too thick!

Although not as exaggerated as Snowfall Lake, it was still a good five or six meters thick.

At this point, the contestants were all in a bit of a fix.

One contestant asked, "Host, how are we supposed to break open the ice?"

"That's right, that's right, such a thick layer of ice cannot be broken open in a short time at all."

However, that host stroked his goatee and said with a faint smile, "This problem… you can only figure it out yourselves."

"After all, this competition has two hours. Whoever can break through the ice first will gain more time."

"This is also one of the contents of the competition."

Hearing the other party's explanation, a look of sudden realization appeared in everyone's eyes.

Although the ice layer was thick, those who could come to sign up and fork out 3,000 crowns for the registration fee were all individuals confident in themselves.

In this world, what veteran angler didn't have some ice-breaking tools?

They began to show off their respective abilities.

Some pulled out a crowbar and a hammer, while others took out an iron chisel,

and started hammering and chiseling hard.

"Clang! Clang clang!"

For a time, bursts of hammering sounds echoed across the entire lake surface.

At the same time, the contestants secretly exerted strength in their hearts!

As long as they could break open the ice a step earlier, they could get more fishing time than others!

As for Cao Xing and Braum, they were not in a hurry.

"Lord, Braum has great strength. Give me an iron sword or a spear, and I can break open an ice hole in a few minutes."

Cao Xing thought for a moment,

then looked at the host and said, "Excuse me, can I apply for external assistance?"

The Goatee host recognized Cao Xing and chuckled, "My Lord, of course you can. Being able to invite external aid is also your own ability."

"Including everyone else, if you have external assistance, you can also call people over."

"Of course, as for fishing, you still have to do it yourselves."

The expressions of those contestants flickered slightly.

Some locals of Annuo River Village hurriedly called upon their family members and friends to come over and help break open the ice holes.

The other part of contestants from out of town could only silently hold the tools in their hands and hammer away with their heads down!

As for Cao Xing, he looked toward Rune on the shore and waved at him.

The tall Dragon Blood Warrior quickly came to Cao Xing's side.

"Lord, please give your orders."

Cao Xing said, "Rune, help us break open two ice holes with a diameter of about one meter. Can you do it?"

Rune swept his gaze over the ice layer and then nodded, "No problem, Lord."

"Great, then make an ice hole here first."

"Understood!"

Rune instantly gripped the spear in his hand tightly, then took a deep breath.

The next moment, his rock-hard muscles bulged instantly!

"Hum!"

A fierce aura erupted from his body!

Rune said in a deep voice, "Lord, please step back a few steps!"

Hearing this, Cao Xing also quickly stepped back.

The next moment, Rune kicked off with both feet and erupted violently!

On the thick ice surface, two spiderweb-like cracks actually appeared.

Utilizing this terrifying impact force, Rune instantly leaped dozens of meters into the high air.

The onlookers on the shore were looking in shock at that figure in mid-air, exclaiming in surprise, "Goodness! This warrior can fly, so strong!"

"Yeah, amazing! To be able to jump so high all at once, this is simply the strongest warrior I've ever seen!"

At this moment in mid-air, Rune gripped his spear tightly,

then fell like a shooting star!

"Boom!"

In an instant, the tip of the spear carrying terrifying impact force collided with the ice layer!

A fierce impact sound rang out, and a terrifying burst of ice shards flew up from the spot.

The terrifying commotion made everyone present cast their gazes over here.

However, they couldn't see anything; that area was already covered by ice shards filling the sky.

"So… so terrifying…"

"The Gods above, what terrifying strength that strong warrior has!"

"With such formidable strength, could he be the Baron's Knight Captain?"

"Don't talk nonsense, I've seen the Baron's Knight Captain, and he's not as powerful as this one!"

Amidst a chorus of exclamations,

the ice shards filling the sky gradually fell down.

Then, an ice hole about 1.2 meters wide with somewhat unrounded edges appeared on the spot.

Compared to a powerful figure of unknown level like Qinong Dutra, Rune doing to this extent is already quite good.

Cao Xing praised, "Rune, well done."

Rune smiled sheepishly.

"Now, go help Braum open an ice hole too."

"Yes, my Lord!"

Rune quickly came to Braum's side and did the same thing.

After a terrifying vibration.

Soon, an ice hole of a similar size appeared before Braum.

From Rune coming over to opening two ice holes, it added up to less than a minute.

Up until now, less than three minutes had passed out of the two-hour match time.

Cao Xing and his group had already finished opening their fishing spots.

Meanwhile, the other contestants were huffing and puffing as they swung the tools in their hands, trying to damage the ice surface.

However, after so long, they had only broken through less than ten centimeters of ice.

Judging by the thickness of the Annuo River's ice, they would still need several dozen minutes to open a single ice hole.

By then, half of the match time would have already passed…

Thinking of this, the other contestants grew somewhat anxious.

At this moment, a very emaciated-looking middle-aged man holding an iron hammer and an awl stood up and said, "Host, they are cheating!"

"This is unfair!"

However, the organizer glanced at him and then said, "I said, according to the match rules, you can apply for external assistance."

"Other than having to fish by yourself, you can let others help break open the ice surface and open up the fishing spot."

"As a qualified angler, and with everyone living in this world since childhood, haven't you considered this kind of situation?"

"Without even this kind of awareness, do you even deserve to call yourself a professional angler?"

Stunned by this host's rebuke, this person was left speechless.

Because what he said was indeed a fact.

In this world, wherever you go fishing, you have to face the difficult problem of breaking through the ice layer.

Not even having the means to break the ice shows that one is unsuited for this line of work.

The young man who spoke lowered his head and then huffing and puffingly smashed with the large iron hammer in his hand.

Including the others, they also hurriedly seized the time to chisel the ice surface!

At this moment, Braum swung the [Black-Veined Wooden Fishing Rod] in his hand and laughed, "Aha! Braum can finally show off his skills!"

Cao Xing unhurriedly took out the Mad King's Fishing Rod, then hooked a piece of [Special Pet Rations (Green)], preparing to test the fish bite first.

Compared to Snowfall Lake, the water of the Annuo River was flowing.

The chilly river water continuously flowed through the ice layer beneath their feet, making a murmuring sound…

Cao Xing looked down, unable to see how deep the river water was, nor knowing how many creatures were hidden underwater.

But the creatures that could survive in this world naturally were existences that had completed biological evolution.

He slowly lowered the fishing line into the water, then took out a small stool from his backpack, waiting leisurely.

Not only that, he also took out a roasted rabbit leg from his backpack, nibbling on it while fishing.

If it weren't during the fishing competition right now, Cao Xing would even have wanted to call Renice, Sarah, and Liu Muxue over.

Two beauties kneading his legs, and one beauty pounding his shoulders, wouldn't that be wonderful?

Just as Cao Xing was thinking about these things distractedly, he suddenly felt a slight movement coming from the fishing rod.

In an instant, he reacted.

"Oh? Caught a fish so quickly?"

At this moment, the hooked fish began to struggle fiercely underwater, and Cao Xing also directly grasped the Mad King's Fishing Rod.

The [Fishing Master] title could increase his strength and fishing success rate, and the epic-level [Mad King's Fishing Rod] possessed terrifying weight-bearing capacity.

Dealing with this kind of river fish was a piece of cake!

"Splash… Splash…"

The sound of water continuously rang out.

After standing in a stalemate for thirty seconds without moving, Cao Xing felt that the force of the fish underwater seemed to have loosened a bit.

He seized the timing and pulled up fiercely!

"Splash!"

A fish with pale yellow scales all over its body, an oval-shaped body, a big head, and a small mouth was reeled up by Cao Xing.

This nearly half-meter-long pale yellow fish continuously jumped up and down on the cold ice surface, seemingly wanting to swim back into the water.

Before Cao Xing could go over to check its attributes.

The host nearby shouted with the megaphone in his hand, "Contestant No. 47, fine quality, one cichlid, 2 points!"

The match recording personnel on the shore quickly flipped over the scoreboard.

Seeing this scene, the contestants who were striving to chisel the ice holes suddenly stopped their movements and cast their gazes over!

They comforted themselves, saying, "Fortunately, it's just a fine quality cichlid. The points added aren't much, we can catch up soon!"

However, despite saying that, everyone's movements on the field became even more hard-working.

As for Cao Xing, he walked directly over and put away this fish.

[Obtained: Cichlid (Green) * 1]

…

"Oh? It really is a cichlid. It seems this host still has some capability."

Cao Xing glanced at the attributes.

[Cichlid (Green)]

[Level: Level 3]

[Weight: 3.6 KG]

[Effect: First consumption, Spirit +3, Constitution +1]

(Note: Cichlids have high requirements for water quality and delicious taste. They can be directly decomposed into 3 pieces of cichlid meat, or sold to merchants or shops in the city.)

…

"Plus 3 points of Spirit and 1 point of Constitution? As green quality fish meat, it's not bad."

Cao Xing secretly nodded.

If this weight of cichlid was sold, one could sell for around three to four thousand crowns.

And Cao Xing's current investment was only 1,000 crowns, making a net profit of two to three times, which was still very good.

At the same time.

Before everyone could recover their senses.

Over there, the big guy Braum also pulled up fiercely!

A pale yellow cichlid similar in size to Cao Xing's side was pulled up!

Braum laughed loudly, "Haha, Braum has also caught a haul, Lord Territory Master!"

Cao Xing smiled and encouraged, "Not bad, keep up the good work."

The host still broadcasted it at the first moment.

"Contestant No. 48, fine quality, one cichlid, 2 points!"

The recording personnel on the shore quickly flipped over the scoreboard again.

Up to now, 5 minutes had passed in the competition.

Cao Xing and Braum had both successively reeled up a cichlid.

As for the other contestants, they hadn't even broken open their ice holes yet.

If this continued, the gap would only get bigger and bigger.

This made everyone even more anxious.

"Clang! Clang clang!"

The sound of ice hammers striking continuously rang out.

As for Cao Xing, he leisurely lowered the second piece of bait.

This time, it was still less than 2 minutes.

Cao Xing felt the movement coming from the fishing rod again.

And this time, the struggling force was even greater!

"Haha, the effect of the special pet rations is as outrageous as ever!"

"Caught a fish again in less than two minutes!"

You must know that the difficulty of fishing in a river is no less than fishing in Snowfall Lake.

After all, one water is flowing, and the other is relatively stationary.

However, the attraction of the special pet rations to fish was simply too strong!

Cao Xing was overjoyed, then forcefully gripped the fishing rod.

"Splash… Splash!"

Bursts of immense force continuously came from under the lake surface.

This underwater creature had immense strength, but for the current Cao Xing, it was still a piece of cake.

After stalemating with it for dozens of seconds, Cao Xing gave a fierce pull!

A large fish with a pinkish-red body, a pair of fins on the top and bottom each, graceful lines, and fully sixty to seventy centimeters long was fiercely pulled up by Cao Xing.

"Plop!"

This large red fish was flung onto the ground by Cao Xing.

Seeing this scene, the onlookers villagers suddenly became a bit curious.

"The Gods above, what kind of fish is that?"

"That's right, it looks so big, it must be quite valuable, right?"

The host nearby examined it for a moment and immediately shouted, "Contestant No. 47, epic quality sucker fish, 5 points!"

Cheers immediately rang out on the shore.

Although they didn't know what a sucker fish was.

After all, just the four words "epic quality" proved the value of this fish.

At this moment, a villager on the shore shouted loudly, "Host, what kind of fish is a sucker fish? Is it very precious?"

The host explained, "Although the sucker fish is not the main fish of our competition, it is likewise a precious magical fish."

"It is said that its meat naturally carries a faint fragrance. After boiling it into soup, that flavor is enough to be described as fragrant for miles."

"Moreover, its scales also have a great effect. After grinding them into powder, it is said to have cosmetic and beauty-enhancing effects, making it a favorite among noble ladies."

"This sucker fish looks to weigh seven or eight jin. If taken out to sell, it's worth at least over forty thousand crowns!"

Hearing this number, gasps of astonishment immediately rang out across the field.

"Oh my god! A fish can actually sell for so much money?"

"What kind of magical big fish is this!"

The villagers on the shore wore looks of shock in their eyes.

After all, over forty thousand crowns was already enough for a household's expenses for nearly two years!

Thanks to Book Friend 20190903213344931 for 2 monthly votes, thanks to I Love Eating Guoguo for 2 monthly votes, thanks to Stububble Drifting in the Evening Breeze for 1 monthly vote, thanks to Labo for 1 monthly vote, thanks to Book Friend 20231029130809568 for 1 monthly vote, thanks to Book Friend 20231118000138789 for 1 monthly vote, thanks to Book Friend 20190618150957942 for 1 monthly vote, thanks to Falling Ashes for 2 monthly votes, thanks to Swift as Flowing Water for 1 monthly vote, thanks to Little White Little White White for 2 monthly votes, thanks to Little God – BD for 4 monthly votes, thanks to Skin Itching for 1 monthly vote, thanks to Ink Dyed Half Life Autumn for 1 monthly vote, thanks to Book Friend 20230628141436901 for 1 monthly vote, thanks to Amber Twilight for 1 monthly vote, thanks to Book Friend 20220117215125015 for 1 monthly vote, thanks to Night Rain Wild for 1 monthly vote, thanks to Gemini Battleship for 2 monthly votes, thanks to Old Evil FF for 1 monthly vote, thanks to Clear Wind Smiling for 1 monthly vote, thanks to Destiny Determined by Heaven for 2 monthly votes, thanks to Book Friend 20230810104333184 for 2 monthly votes, thanks to Book Friend 20170915204819044 for 1 monthly vote, thanks to OS Can Read Ke Void for 1 monthly vote, thanks to Wind Falling Wind Flying Wind Qi Xing Wuhui for 1 monthly vote, thanks to Sunshine Itching for 1 monthly vote! ! !

Thanks to all the book friends for their recommendation votes and subscriptions!!!